Community Corner
Free Events at the Florida Strawberry Festival: A Guide to Saving Money and Spending Time Wisely
We've done some research for you in compiling a list of things to see and do at the 2011 Florida Strawberry Festival that won't cost a dime above the gate admission price.
As you would expect, there’s lots to spend money on at the Florida Strawberry Festival, but even more things to do that won’t cost a cent above the gate admission price of $10 per adult and $5 per child (ages 6 to 12).
Along with entertainment, special events and happenings for kids that don’t carry an additional cost, the festival each year offers an opportunity for just under 7,000 kids to compete in various contests, including speaking contests and agriculture shows including steers, pigs and plants, according to Al Berry, who spoke about the festival at a of the Rotary Club of Brandon.
“Ten dollars gets you in and there’s tons of free entertainment,” Berry said. “It’s the best bang for you buck.”
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Brandon Patch did its research, with the aid of the Florida Strawberry FestivalWeb site, to put together these charts of things to consider to map your day — and save your dollars at the festival. We offer a quick look at “Free Entertainment,” “Special Events” and “(Some) Highlights for Kids.”
The 2011 Florida Strawberry Festival runs March 3-13 at the Strawberry Festival Grounds in Plant City. The festival has two addresses, 303 North Lemon St. and 2202 West Reynolds Street. The festival is in its 76th year.
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
FREE ENTERTAINMENT Dennis Lee Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. (No night shows on March 4-6, 11-12) Lee and his band perform "everything from Elvis to R&B and country." Jay Taylor Band Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. (No 5 p.m. show on March 6) "Rich, under-stated baritone vocals have been compared to those of legendary George Strait." Magic of Lance Gifford & Company Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent Noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. (No night show on March 4-6) "Will engage your imagination as they lure you into a world of magic and wonder." Bluegrass Parlor Band with Cory and Jarrod Walker Cool Whip Whipped Topping Entertainment Tent March 4-13, at 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Cory plays the banjo, guitar and resonator guitar; Jarrod, the mandolin The Gothard Sisters Cool Whip Whipped Topping Entertainment Tent March 3-7, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The three sisters champion Irish dancers and musicians. Brady Goss Cool Whip Whipped Topping Entertainment Tent March 8-13, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. "Formidable keyboard speed and soulful vocals" bear forth "feel-good emotion" Neighborhood Village Grounds Entertainment Daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Features homemade and handcrafted items, highlighting such things as baking, cake decorating, food preservation, jewelry, needlework and home decorations Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show Grounds Entertainment 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays: 7:30 p.m. "World champion lumberjacks chopping, sawing and deftly handling axes and chainsaws in shows that are" historical, educational and humorous Pioneer Skills in Early Arts and Trades Grounds Entertainment Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Woodwork and rope-making demonstrations Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean Grounds Entertainment 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Aerial high-wire show taking place 28 feet above the ground. "See to believe!" Rock-It The Robot Grounds Entertainment 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. At 9 feet tall, Rock-It The Robot "has moves that range from country to hip-hop and even has his own robo-boogie-get-down dancing." Runa Pacha Grounds Entertainment 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. From the Andes Mountains; features "native wind pipes and flutes combined with a variety of stringed instruments and modern electronic effects." Strawberry Production Exhibit Grounds Entertainment Daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. See the contrast between how strawberries were grown year ago and how they are cultivated today. Sweet Caroline Wish Farms Soundstage March 5 at 1 p.m. "Dynamic young artist is known for her storytelling as she talks about her life, family and friends in each of her concerts as well as in her songs." Hola! Plant City Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent March 4 and 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. Various artists The Guy Lombardo Band Wish Farms Soundstage March 10 at 10:30 a.m. Seniors' Day perfomance Spirit Song Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent March 11 at 7:30 p.m. Group from Plant City's First Baptist Church; features Gospel music The Rev. Arthur T. Jones and the Bible-Based Fellowship Church Cathedral Choir Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent March 12, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Jones is the senior pastor of Bible-Based Fellowship Church and a "singer, songwriter, Bible student and record and video producer."
(SOME) HIGHLIGHTS FOR KIDS Shoebox Float Contest Main Exhibit Building Dimensions: 13-by-9 inches; no taller than 14.5 inches Submitted by students in grades 1-6 Granpa Cratchet Show Stage Shows: 11:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Mobile Shows: 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m and 5:30 p.m. Gives hugs; tells tales; shares jokes; recounts history For everybody, from "the stroller set to seniors" Rosaire's Racing Pigs East End of the Festival Grounds Noon, 2 p.m, 4 p.m., 6 p.m and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. "Action-packed cascade of squealing adventure, where audience participation is a must." Baby Parade Florida Strawberry Festival Grandstand March 12 at 9:30 a.m. View contestants, ages 1-4, from Eastern Hillsborough County, including Brandon, Dover, Lithia, Mango, Seffner and Valrico Baby Contest Sweetbay Supermarket Showcase Tent March 6 from 5-7 p.m. Featuring Hillsborough County babies, ages 6-18 months. Two contests and one "Diaper Derby"
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